WebWasher has integrated virus scanning software from Computer Associates International and McAfee Security, a division of Network Associates, into the new product and users can choose which they prefer to use, Loerwald says.

Protected Gateway can also filter out banner advertisements and pop-up ads, a move which can improve network efficiency by 30% to 40%, he says.

Reporting is live, giving management access to data on internet use within the past hour. Post-processing, to look at historical internet use, is also available, Loerwald says.

Optional extras include Antivirus PreScan, which can prescan all traffic and only pass potentially dangerous files to the filtering software. That adds an extra layer of security and reduces the load on the filter, Loerwald says.

The price of the software licences will vary depending on the number of users and the length of the contract, plus any extra functions and interfaces needed to other systems and operating systems, but the average is likely to be about $US20 to $US30 per user per year, Loerwald says.

Webwasher.com, based in Paderborn, Germany, is backed by capital investments from Siemens among other investors.

Copyright 2019 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited.